Rated PG for some mild peril.
Directed by Brian Levant (Are We There Yet?, Snow Dogs)
Starring Kate Melton, Nick Palatas, Robbie Amell, and Hayley Kiyoko
Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Begins is a cute family film…nothing more, nothing less.
What brings best friends together? For Daphne, Velma, Fred, Shaggy and Shaggy's spunky pup Scooby-Doo, it's a mystery! The feature-length live-action Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Begins movie takes you back to when four teenagers and one dog first met. Unjustly accused of staging a spooky practical joke complete with ghosts, the kids are suspended from Coolsville High. To clear their names, they must work together to solve this supernatural mystery.
If you were a fan of the cartoon, I think you will find this film less enjoyable. On the other hand if you somehow missed the greatness of the original or if you weren’t born yet…go ahead, give it a shot.
Both the plot and script are as simple as they come. It’s the typical “how-it-all-began” story that has a few funny lines and some “classic” moments – like the first trip in the Mystery Machine and the invention of the Scooby Snack. Cute but not groundbreaking.
The cast was a disappointment. In the 2002 film, the cast which included Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardellini, was great. Nick Palatas who plays Shaggy in this new one is more of a cliché and guilty of “over-acting.” Daphne looks like she is 35 and Fred has dark hair – what’s that all about? Hayley Kiyoko as Velma is the lone bright spot.
I expected the “direct to video” film to be a hit with my kids and they did enjoy it. I also expected it to be the typical “we really don’t have to try because kids will watch anything” film and that’s exactly what I got. It was a fun evening with my family but I wouldn’t watch it again, so I’ll say watch it “Only If It’s Free.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
They sure can. It’s rated PG and my kids really enjoyed it.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
